Sunday Snapshots: Santa Barbara Mission

In an effort to de-funk myself, I decided that I needed to do something to lift my spirits (occasionally, we have to proactively seek out those Silver Linings!). There is no better place to do de-funk than at the beautiful Santa Barbara Mission. Boy oh boy, was I right on (Silver Lining).

The Santa Barbara Mission is an extraordinarily special place in Santa Barbara. It is a perfect balance between tangible beauty and intangible spirituality. One of my dear friends calls this the balance between the terrestrial and the celestial. Love that image.

Opened on the Feast of St. Barbara in December of 1786, the Mission was the tenth California Mission founded by the Spanish Franciscan Friars. The California Missions had two purposes. For the government of Spain, seeking to solidify its claim on the land, the missions provided new settlements and new citizens, as the converts were also required to learn Spanish and European skills. For the Franciscan Friars, the purpose was to convert the native people to Christianity and thereby, they believed, save their souls from you-know-what.

The mission serves the community as a parish church to this day. If you ever get to Santa Barbara, be sure to visit this unique and exceptional place!

Sweetly Six sitting outside of the church praying for her now-deceased Grandmother and dog. She asked me, “Momma, do you think that Lalee and Guinness are playing together in heaven?” Cue the tears.

PS – Yes, I had a dog named Guinness. And yes, I named him after the beer. However, I didn’t dissuade children who assumed that I named him after the Guinness Book of World Records. I’m just saying’…

Comments

I , like you, am a survivor.. I had a lumpectomy nearly 2 1/2 years ago and so far I am doing great! I spent so many happy times in Santa Barbara, when our son went us UCSB! I love that town and all it has to offer everyone! Your photos took me back to the early 90's when hwe would drive up from LA! I love your site and have sent it to some of my other girlfriends who are in various stages of recovery. Thanks for all your effort for all of us out there… God bless… Judi

Beautiful post, love our gorgeous mission. I often drive by and think it's so beautiful that it doesn't look real!
I would have thought the dog was named after Lulu Guinness… ;0)
Thanks for such wonderful snapshots on this fabulous Sunday!
xo

Hollye,
You are right the Santa Barbara Mission is beautiful, as are all the other California Missions that I have visited. I live about only about an hour and 10 minutes north of you,, Guadalupe, on Highway 1 and the drive down to Santa Barbara from home is part of my spiritual connection. My silver lining for today, thanks to your inspiration, is that I live in such a amazingly beautiful area, I never have to go far (good for days when I am not feeling to well) to be inspired by the wonders around me.

Have a light filled Sunday. It looks to be a gorgeous one (again) here on the Central Coast.
Marlene
FBC survivor

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Hollye’s book, The Silver Lining: A Supportive and Insightful Guide to Breast Cancer, was published by Simon & Schuster on March 2014. The book is co-authored by her dear friend, photographer Elizabeth Messina. It became a New York Times, Washington Post and LA Times bestseller.